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leafy spurge |
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Euphorbia esula var. esula |
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| Taxonomy | Family: |
Euphorbiaceae (spurge) |
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Subfamily: |
Euphorbioideae |
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Tribe: |
Euphorbieae |
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Subtribe: |
Euphorbiinae |
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| Parent | |||||||
| Nativity | Native of Asia and Europe. Introduced and naturalized in the United States. Invasive. |
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| Status | Minnesota prohibited noxious weed Minnesota prohibited weed seed |
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| Habitat | Dry. Disturbed sites. Full sun. |
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| Flowering | Primarily in April and May, but may occur through October. |
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| Flower Color | Green to yellow |
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| Height | |
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| Identification |
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| Similar Species |
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| Range | .png "Range Map") |
Sources: 3. | |||||
| Sightings | |||||||
| Comments | This is a serious pest across the northern great plains, displacing grasses and other plants normally consumed by cattle. It infests over 3 million acres of land in 29 states. The roots of leafy spurge can exceed 20 feet in depth. When broken, stems and leaves exude a milky latex sap, which can cause minor skin irritation or blindness on contact. Ripe seed capsules rupture when touched, throwing seeds up to 15 feet. |
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| Images | |||||||
| Synonyms | Euphorbia intercedens Euphorbia pseudovirgata Galarhoeus esula Tithymalus esula |
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| Common Names |
Faitour’s grass leafy spurge spurge wolf’s milk wolf’s-milk |
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